Ontario Premier Doug Ford faces calls for public inquiry over wildfire response

More than 170 wildfires are raging in northern Ontario, with 173 active blazes burning over 7,250 square kilometres – the province’s worst season on record. The fires have forced the evacuation of more than 1,800 residents, 12 of the 13 communities displaced being First Nations, including Collins (Namaygoosisagagun) and Neskantaga.

First Nations leaders and Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles are demanding a public inquiry. Stiles said, “The provincial government, and all levels of government, have been missing in action here.” Chiefs accused Premier Doug Ford of overlooking Indigenous communities, with one chief stating, “He’s creating the narrative so that he can basically lie to Canadians.”

Premier Ford defended the government’s actions, noting that roughly 2,000 people have been moved to shelters and that the province has provided hotels, food and other assistance. He said the government has done everything possible to combat the fires.

The criticism comes amid long‑standing concerns about Ontario’s wildland‑fire programme, including repeated warnings since 2016 about firefighter turnover, pay and staffing shortages. Union representatives have called for better funding, increased recruitment and reclassification of wildland firefighters.

The growing pressure for an inquiry focuses on alleged delayed warnings, lack of evacuation orders and inadequate support for First Nations communities as the blazes approached their homes.